Topic starter
21/09/2007 12:49 pm
While we are messing around on the tributaries, we should discuss Captain John Donaldson. John learned to pilot on the Greene Line Boats between Louisville and Cincinnati, maybe in the early 1940's or late 30's. He did time on a number of towboats including the City of Maysville. Somehow he managed to buy the Brooklyn and the Keene, with which he towed between Frankfort and the sand diggers on the Ohio. His chief customer was the Whitehead Goedecke building supply firm in Frankfort.
The Brooklyn was a long, skinny sternwheel diesel towboat. It showed up at Harrods Creek, at G. W. McBride's landing, one time with an ailing engine. A deckhand marveled that the engine was the only one he ever saw that made its own lube oil in the crankcase. In fact, he'd dipped out a gallon just that morning! The problem was a leaking gasket that allowed cooling water to leak into the engine.
I noticed that the doors had 2" x 10" planks nailed across them at deck level. John told me they were there to keep the river out of the cabin on those tight bends up the Kentucky.
John Donaldson was a very gentle man who always spoke softly, but his eyes let you know when he meant business!
The Brooklyn's corpse is abandoned up in the Kentucky River, maybe at Camp Nelson. Poor thing! Several people have expressed interest in raising her, but none has.
21/09/2007 1:15 pm
Here are 2 photos of the BROOKLYN. The first was taken by Dan Owen circa 1965 at the Nugent Sand dock near Carrollton, KY. The second was taken by Mike Fletcher circa 2002. The boat was originally the HELEN H, built by Howard in 1930.
21/09/2007 1:42 pm
John Donaldson
In another thread on Hines family it ties to Capt. John in that the Keene was the Hines Zephyr. I almost bought the Keene in 1969 but Capt. John at the last minute needed her more, deal was off. I was saved, only to jump from frying pan into the fire by then buying the Sewickley. You get so soon old and so late smart.
22/09/2007 1:00 am
Alan, Steve & Bill:
Thanks for the information, pictures etc. in the above postings. Cap'n Bill, is your SEWICKLEY the same vintage one that GREENE LINE Purser, Bob McCann, used to crack jokes about? You know: SEEEE--WICKLEY or was it a mispelling of S.E. WICKLEY? I could go on and on with that one but, mercifully, won't. Both old river jokes from way back. All in light humor. What happened between the "fire" and the "pan" with the SEWICKLEY?
Cheers,
Dale Flick
23/09/2007 12:07 am
A few years ago, about 2003, I put MISSIE into the Kentucky River at Boonesborough just below the dam. If I remember correctly, the BROOKLYN then lay on the right bank descending between there and the I-75 bridge...about as much out of water as in Mike's photo.
23/09/2007 12:47 am
John Doneldson
Actually the Brooklyn is just above the KY 627 bridge which is the Boonesboro-Winchester Rd. The I-75 bridge is 6 miles downriver at Clays Ferry. Her skeleton is easy to get to off Ford's Road which runs right next to the river on the right bank. The boat is a sad sight, especially after seeing her in "the good ole days".